A Study on the Delivery of Lower Division Collegiate Programs and Services in the Metropolitan Oklahoma City Region for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Parnell, Dale; Philips, Al

In 1990, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education authorized a study of lower-division education services offered by Central State University, El Reno Junior College, Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma State University Technical Branch, and Rose State College--all operating in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Special attention was given to the five functions of community colleges (i.e., transfer, technical, developmental, and adult and continuing education, and community service). Drawing from site visits, material furnished by local colleges and state agencies, and visits with state legislators, business/industry leaders, and State Regents, the study examined costs, college-going rates among high school seniors, college funding, and the delivery of services at the five colleges. Recommendations emanating from the study included the following: (1) clarify institutional missions; (2) specify geographic service areas for the three metropolitan community colleges; (3) establish a position of Vice Chancellor for Technical Education; (4) include economic development in college missions; (5) define and allocate technical education program specialties for each college; (6) establish a common course numbering system; (7) give colleges greater flexibility in offering off-campus classes; (8) establish a minority student success incentive program; (9) consider preparing a statewide long-range plan for community college development; and (10) encourage cooperative efforts between local vocational-technical schools and community colleges. Recommendations were also developed related to state funding flexibility, a plan for the development of a new Oklahoma City Community College District, and possible alternatives to the plan. Papers on a Tech Prep/Associate Degree Program for Metropolitan Oklahoma City students and on the basic elements of the community college philosophy are appended. (JMC)